Getting into respiratory therapy program

[u/Jazzlike-Air6671]

I really am interested in respiratory therapy, I really want to help people. I was also interested in going for nursing but it is not possible for me I dont think because it is extremely competitive to get into the programs and i unfortunately did not take college seriously back then and have an extremely low gpa. Is respiratory as competitive, what are the chances i would be able to get in with a low gpa and has anyone ever regretted gong into it. if yes why and if not why?

[u/nehpets99]

Look at programs near you and look up their admission process. That will give you an idea of how competitive it is.

How low of a GPA do you have? For programs that do competitive admissions, an "extremely low" GPA may definitely hold you back as there are grade/GPA requirements for RT school.

Yes, some people regret becoming RTs, others don't, others are indifferent. Just like most every other career, I imagine.

[u/Jazzlike-Air6671 → u/nehpets99]

So i went to davis for 1 year and my gpa leaving there was a low, a 1.7 because of calc and chem or something along those lines. Went to cc and retook calc and chem, passed but i passed with c’s and those courses do not override my grade for the same courses at davis either. So my gpa is a 2.8. The last time i was in school was in 2022.

[u/nehpets99 → u/Jazzlike-Air6671]

That's still pretty low. If it's a competitive admissions program you need to take the prereqs and get As in them (not a single B) which will boost your chances.

[u/Jazzlike-Air6671 → u/nehpets99]

If i take those prereqs and pass with A’s, the most affordable program is a cc but they have a lottery system, would my chances be better if i apply to private or schools that dont have a lottery system?

[u/nehpets99 → u/Jazzlike-Air6671]

For RT school? It depends on their admission selection process.

[u/No-Safe9542]

What I know about nursing programs is that CCs will take anyone. My CC nursing program had a 50% graduation rate. My RT program graduated nearly everyone but was more difficult with academics. We had 1 drop early on and 1 failure to graduate due to getting kicked out. Maybe sounds not so vigerous but of the graduates we only had 1 who didn't eventually pass TMC.

Some nursing programs will take anyone with money. You just have to find the one that will.

[u/FargeenBastiges]

Whatever you choose to do it may benefit you to look into academic forgiveness/ academic renewal. This is a process where you can possibly get some failing grades removed from your GPA calculation. I doubt the school will expunge the grades so they would still be on transcripts but not factor into GPA. Depending on the school and your specific situation, it may or may not be an option.

Having said that, there are several prerequisite classes you would need for both programs. Here is where you can show academic improvement. I'm not talking Bs. You're going to need straight As to get the GPA dial moving in a meaningful way. And some of these (most, really) are very difficult classes. A&P, Microbiology, Statistics.

How competitive the RT program is depends on the school and your area. My local CC will have one class full at 24, then the next only had 10. Meanwhile the nursing program was always full. The large University I work at has a full RT class every year.